ED Koch is going to be disrobed today by Judge Judy Sheindlin and her husband, former New York City Judge Jerry .
Koch is set to step down from the “People’s Court” bench, handing over his gavel in a staged ceremony attended, strangely enough, by his main rival, “Judge Judy” Sheindlin.
As expected, Koch adjourned his “People’s Court” stint after two seasons which failed to generate respectable ratings.
Koch will be replaced next season by Judge Judy’s husband, Jerry Sheindlin.
The change sets the stage for one of the most interesting TV showdown in years: A husband-and-wife team going head-to-head on competing stations. The two shows will compete directly in many cities nationwide – including New York, where both shows are on at 4 p.m. – “People’s Court” on Ch. 4 and “Judge Judy” on Ch. 2.
“People’s Court” ranks last in the new genre of courtroom shows, finishing behind even newcomers “Judge Mills Lane” and “Judge Joe Brown.”
“Judge Judy,” on the other hand is queen of daytime TV – outranking “Oprah” and, now, “Jerry Springer” in the ratings race.